Jenna McDonald

Hello and Welcome! I'm Jenna McDonald and I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) based in Western New York and working with clients statewide via Telehealth. I work with teens, adults, and couples; specializing in anxiety, stress, work/school stressors, relationship concerns, substance use, and trauma. I use Person-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to help my clients make progress and start feeling more in control and on their way to more mentally stable wellness.

My approach

My approach to therapy varies based on the needs of each client I work with. I most frequently use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, as both modalities help me and the client build a shared understanding of their reality, and allow us to work together to chart a path forward. Person-Centered Therapy is also used often as I find it helps the client to organize his/her goals so that we can work through those together, based on what is most important and meaningful to that client.

My focus

I have found that my style and approach are a good fit for clients who may be dealing with the challenges of life transitions ( work/life balance, job change/ school/social pressures), relationship issues, anxiety, and depression. I work to help my clients navigate these transition periods and to build skills to allow them to feel better about themselves and develop a more positive outlook on life.

My communication style

My communication style is working with my clients to understand what it is they are experiencing and build that rapport. I hope to provide supportive problem-solving and collaboration, while I can also being that listening ear. I pride myself on my ability to listen without judgment. I will also be that realistic reminder to my clients of what is healthy/what is not so that we can work toward optimal mental wellness.

My goals for you

My approach to goal setting with clients is all about working together to define what you want to accomplish in our time together. This often starts by building trust between us and getting comfortable with what it means to be in therapy. Over time, we'll work together to set goals and track your progress. Sometimes we just want someone to listen to us and have the ability to vent our emotions and frustrations. I can be that person who is neutral, which can give me a great outside view and the ability to provide assistance when needed.

My first session with you

What you can expect from our first session together is for us to spend the majority of our time talking about your past experience with coming to counseling, what worked well with past counseling/ what didn't, what you are coming to counseling for currently and me asking questions to better understand some of why you may be feeling that way. The first session is about us building an initial connection and helping me get a sense of where we should go from there.